GREENFIELD — Out of a pool of 30 candidates ranging from California to Pennsylvania, Greenfield City Council selected Jaime Fontes as the new city manager.
“I look forward to working for the City Council,” Fontes said. “A city provides its citizens many things, public works, public safety, water, sewer, but the most important thing I think it provides is the leadership and the policies set forth by the council.”
The recruitment process for the new city manager was undertaken by Bob Murray and Associates. A total of 30 candidates were reduced down to five finalists who were interviewed by the City Council. According to Perrault, Fontes is well experienced as a city manager and is currently serving the City of Santa Paula for the past seven years. Fontes worked for the City of Nogales in Arizona in the past.
“He brings a wide track record of getting things done within the communities he has worked with,” Interim City Manager Robert Perrault said. “Including the restructuring of financing in the City of Santa Paula that eliminated deficient spending as well as help them develop reserve funds.”
Fontes is a member of the California Bar and bilingual. Fontes’ new role as Greenfield City Manager will include a base salary of $165,000 annually. The City Manager Agreement is for three years with health benefits and access to the city-owned home.
“It’s exciting, we have a lot of challenges ahead of us but I think they’re all doable,” Fontes said. “I’m used to tough budgets, tough situations and the fire issue coming up, I’m adept at that.”
Mayor Jesus OlveraGarcia said he was impressed that Fontes was able to advance projects that had been stuck in Santa Paula and that there are similar stuck projects in Greenfield.
The City Council voted unanimously for Fontes to serve as city manager at its March 28 meeting. Fontes will begin the position May 8.
